Insulator clamp



. Oct. 12 1926.

- 1,602,584 J. s LAWSON INSULATOR CLAMP Filed Nov. 5. 1923 M ETOHNEY Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

UNITED I STATES 1,602,584 PATENT OFFICE.-

JOEL S. LAWSON, OF ST. JAMES, NEW YORK.

INSULATOB CLAMP.

Application fil'ed November 5, 1923. Serial No. 672,862

This invention relates to insulator clamps and has more special reference to an insulator clamp in which the elements engaging the line wire are in a measure tree to accoml modate themselves to changes in its position relatively'to the insulator.

The proper support of lrne wires on the insulators necessarily takes into consideration the changeable climatic conditions to which the lines and their supports are subjected. Vhere the climatic conditions are severe the breakage of line wires is of frequent occurrence and 1n many cases the fracture occurs at the point where the line-wire the clamp to freely adjust itself and this end is achieved by affording a relative flexibility between the line wire clamping or gripping members and insulator. Specifically stated the flexibility of the line wire gripping elements is preferably obtained in the manner indicated in the illustrated embodiment, namely, by a ball and socket con nection with the elements engaging the insulator, the socket being conveniently formed in the halves of the split wire gripping elements and not only affording 'a hearing but also a'recess'for the ball, so as to permit the opposed faces of the halves to lie snuglyagainst each other.

' l/Vhile one embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawing, it

is to be understood that this embodiment merely serves as an illustration of the underlying principles of the invention so that they may be readily comprehended by those skilled in the art and is not intended as lirn; iting the invention to the specific form disclosed therein.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention partly fragmentary.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation, and Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of Fig. 3. Continuing now by way of a more detailed description an insulator of the conventional type having the customary annular is held by the clamps because of the inher groove A is carried by the upstanding post or pin B which is customarily carried on a cross arm or-similar support. Manifestly the particular type of insulator or the manner in which this insulator is carried, form no part of the present invention, the insulator clamp forming the subject of the present invention being applicable to many types of insulator.

The insulator clamp illustrated comprises split line wire clamping or gripping members G and D conveniently spaced from each other inaccordance with the characteristics of the particular insulator with which the clamp is used, and in general spaced on o posite sides of the insulator. Each of tlie gripping members C- and D is split to form halves as shown in Fig. 2 ada ted to be bolted on opposite sides of the line wire E and securely support it.

Inasmuch as the line wire gripping elements G and D are identical in the illustrated embodiment although not necessarily so in practice, a description of but one of these members, the member C, will suflice."

The split member 0 comprises opposed halves F and F each half being correspondingly grooved or channeled at G, the two grooves formingan orifice to receive and grip the line wire when the halves F and F are connected together, as for example by bolts H and 'J. The halves are preferably cast in such a manner as to provide-forwardly projecting bosses or extensions K and K: having their forward ends preferably rounded in the manner indicated to enable the gripping member to roll freely in the insulator groove A about these rounded ends. The bosses K and K preferably have openings L and L respectively, the axis of the latter converging and being substantially tangential to the periphery of the insulator, so that the ends of the insulator clamping members or yokes M may be conveniently inserted without changing the annular shape of the yoke ends. In order that the yoke end may be securely held in position in the opening, the end of the yoke is spread to form a head or ball N and that these ball ended yokes may not interfere with the halves of the clamp being .brought snugly together, the openings L and L are tween the wire gripping members and the yokes. The ends of the openings'L and L opposite to the recesses P are'preferably also fiared or countersunk to provide sutlicient clearance for the free movement of the yoke relatively to the clamping member as will be readily understood, although the flared shape of recess is, of course, not essential.

When the claims define the yoke asbeing strained around the insulator it is not intended to imply that any appreciable force is applied to the yokes but merely that the yokes arebrought into intimate contact with the walls of the groove A. It is intended, however, to also include an appreciable tension on the yokes.

It is claimed:

1. An insulator clamp combining a split clamping element adapted to'engage a line wire or the like, the split parts being adapted to be bolted together on. opposite sides of the line wire, the clamping element having an opening andan insulator engaging yoke held in said opening, the diameter of the opening being larger than the diameter of the yoke part to permit movement of the clamping element relative to the yoke.

2. An insulator clamp combining a pair of opposed line wire clamping elements having yoke receiving openings, :1 second pair of opposed line wire clamping elements spaced from the first pair, oppositely disposed yoke members having their ends wholly within said openings and adapted to be strained around the insulator when clamped on the line wire, the clamping elements bing tiltable in a plane, substantially I perpendicular to the plane of the yoke.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 10th day of October A. D. 1923.

JOEL S.- LAVSON. 

